UPDATED: Brian Gallant cancels proposed nursing home fee changes

WATCH ABOVE: The New Brunswick Government made an unexpected about face on its proposed changes to the way nursing home costs were calculated, with the premier confirming they wouldn’t be moving forward. Global’s Alex Abdelwahab reports.

MONCTON – The New Brunswick government is backpedaling on a plan it announced earlier this year that would change the way nursing home costs were calculated in the province.

The plan called for assets to be included in the cost calculations. But on Wednesday, Premier Brian Gallant said the province would not be moving forward with the proposed changes.

“The proposed nursing home per diem policy will not be implemented,” he said. “We will not move forward with it. It will be cancelled and we will press reset.”

Gallant said he understood the policy change caused anxiety for many seniors, but suggested it was because many didn’t really understand what the government was trying to do. He attributed that to not explaining the policy well enough.

“We’re going to learn from those mistakes, ensure that when we put forward public policy, that we explain it properly, thoroughly and exhaustively,” he said. “We will learn from that mistake and ensure moving forward that we don’t make it again.”

Instead, government is planning to establish a new council on seniors that will be developed with seniors’ groups. Those interested in taking part will be able to put their names forward in the coming weeks.

Gallant said the government will work with the new council to create an aging strategy to deal with the reality of an aging population and financial deficit. He said he hopes the direction of the strategy will be in place by the next budget.

Gallant and Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers met with seniors groups last Friday. They said the idea for the council came from that meeting.

Rogers also said the government will put more of a focus on home-first initiatives, after hearing from seniors that is what they want.

Cecile Cassista, executive director of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights, said she is happy the policy is off the table.

“I’m glad that the Premier listened,” she said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm glad that the Premier listened," she said.

“I basically articulated our position with him on Friday as well. I didn’t think that we would come this far, I thought that we’d have another five more months to go, but certainly I was going to continue. I was planning on going to Miramichi tomorrow and I was going to continue to campaign.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bruce Fitch called for consequences.

“Basically, this government has put them through hell for the last six months for nothing,” he said. “I think this file has been bungled so badly that the Minister should resign if the Premier doesn’t fire her.”